LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) -- Liverpool striker Michael Owen will miss their UEFA Cup second round, first leg tie against Romania's Steaua Bucharest on Thursday because of an ankle injury, manager Gerard Houllier said.

Houllier expects Owen to recover for Sunday's premier league game against Manchester United, but rates the striker as doubtful for England's friendly against Denmark on November 16.

Owen's latest injury is not related to a shin problem he suffered in a league defeat against Arsenal last month, which kept him out of England's final Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey.

Asked if Owen would be fit to play for England, Houllier told reporters on Tuesday: "I doubt it. "It's nothing to do with the shin injury. It's just an ankle."

"He's had it for a certain time. It settles well and the pain goes after three or four days," said the Frenchman, who had faced a choice over when to deploy his striker this week.

"He could have played on Thursday against Steaua, but if he plays on Thursday he couldn't make it on Sunday.

"At the end of the day we want the best for his fitness as well. I don't want to gamble with his health. "If he's had a recurring injury it's best at some stage to give him a week and see how he does."

Houllier wants his men to go on the attack in Bucharest against a side which knocked premier league rivals Southampton out in the first round.

"We go to score to a goal," he added. "The first leg is the more important of the two games as it determines the position you will be in for the second leg. "Either you are in a position to qualify, you set up a chance or you ruin your chance to qualify."